ParkSleepFly Posts

Best Hidden Destinations in Europe

March 16, 2018 4 Comments

With the plethora of amazing bucket-list cities that comprise Europe, it’s hard to consider traveling to that beautiful continent without visiting a top tourist destination like Rome, Paris, or Madrid. But those travelers that want an authentic European vacation know that they have to travel outside of the main thoroughfares to smaller cities. Although these small cities may be a bit off the beaten path, they’re just as beautiful and much less crowded (not to mention easier on the wallet) than their more popular counterparts. If you’re looking for a truly unique experience the next time you travel to Europe, consider one of these fabulous hidden gems!

 

1. Kotor, Montenegro 

Cruise lovers have known about this “secret” spot for a while, but I’ve found that the regular traveler doesn’t even know where Kotor is! This medieval city is at the tip of the bay wedged between mountain peaks which provide some of the most unique and moody atmospheric conditions. If the photo opportunities aren’t enough to make you want to visit, the area also offers vast sightseeing opportunities with medieval castles and churches, plenty of activities between the mountains and the coastline and let’s not forget the delicious, fresh food that is sure to please any gourmand. 

Read More

Are Travel Agents Still Useful? 

March 2, 2018 3 Comments

Back in the stone ages, well before the advent of all of these Do-It-Yourself travel sites, people used to turn to travel agents when they wanted to take a vacation. But with all of this new technology, do travel agents even still exist? That they do! And you may be surprised to learn that, although technology has changed dramatically in the past few decades, travel agents have not.

They are still the same patient world-travelers who have oodles of experience, helpful tips, great suggestions and they still offer better deals than most of the big travel booking sites. Read on to see why using travel agencies aren’t for the old-fashioned – they’re for the budget minded traveler who wants the best vacation experience possible.

Read More

Traveling with a Theme

February 12, 2018 No Comments

Themed travel isn’t a new concept, but it wasn’t always the most popular slice of the travel pie. 20 years ago, you had to be downright fanatical to take a trip centered around pop culture themes like movies, books, TV shows or bands. But this concept of traveling with a theme has been steadily gaining traction in recent years thanks to movies like ‘Wild’ and ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ as well as the advent of tour companies that offer curated experiences for travelers suffering from tourism boredom.

Theme Idea: Explore (and camp!) the west coast in a classic car.

Now, there’s no shortage of themed trips to be had. You can take a trip centered around a hobby, event or just something you enjoy. You can do everything from a nudist cruise to a ‘Jurassic Park‘ trek through the jungle. Some people take road trips based around famous hamburger joints and others vacation at resorts featuring their favorite comedians. No matter where your interests lie, there’s a trip that’s perfect for you. Let us help you find it with our guide to traveling with a theme!

Read More

5 Things Not to Do at Hotel Check-in and Check-out

February 5, 2018 No Comments

Although most people regard check-in/check-out as the second most aggravating part of the vacation (behind the flight,) those people underestimate how this experience can affect your vacation. Checking-in usually provides your very first impression of your accommodations, and that impression can make or break your trip. And although most people skip the check-out experience, it can help to improve a bad experience, or even top off an amazing vacation. Take a look at our list of the top five things not to do at hotel check-in and check-out to make your next overnight trip a marvelous success!

1.) Don’t Be Shy

You can’t get what you want without asking for it! Check-in is the best time to find out everything you’ll need to know during your stay, like check out time and the hotel’s amenities that you can utilize. It’s also the best time to see if you can snag any free perks like a free upgrade, late check-out or even signing up for any specials the hotel might offer like free rentals that they don’t openly advertise. Ask for anything else you may want or need while you’re here, too. You can ask for extra pillows or toiletries, an extra ice bucket or a mattress topper. But remember to always ask for these things politely and with a nice smile; don’t behave as if the employee is required to fulfill your request. If you build a good rapport with a member of the hotel staff, you may be surprised by the extra upgrades you can receive. 

Read More

Traveling in a Techy Millennial World 

January 22, 2018 No Comments

There’s no denying that the millennial generation has changed the world in a myriad of ways these past few decades, with the travel industry being one of the most heavily impacted. Millennials are traveling more than any other generation before them, and hold a strong emphasis on a healthy work/life balance. They account for over $180 billion dollars in tourism revenue annually!

Travel_in_Millennial_World

Because of this (and their adeptness with technology), a multitude of apps, programs, and websites have been created to reduce pain points within the traveling process. And thanks to the instant gratification nature of the millennial generation, they’ve made travel information instantly available at the swipe of a screen, and the entire traveling process (from researching a destination to your ride home from the airport) cheaper, safer and more efficient.

Read More